Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: Yesterday Orissa POST focused on Durga puja preparation at Nayapalli and Rasulgarh. Today we focus on some of the oldest and upcoming puja pandals from the city.
The oldest puja pandal in the city is located in the old station bazaar. Organized by Sarbajanina Durga Puja Samiti the pandal has crossed 60 years of existence.
The pandal is a major attraction owing to its unique design and style. “This year our pandal would feature replicas of world famous structures including Akshardham, Bangkok palace, Lalitgiri, Christ the Redeemer of Rio-de Janeiro, Statue of Liberty, some Egyptian monuments, and a Buddha statue from a monastery in China,” Deepak kumar Jena, puja committee secretary said.
“This year we are investing about Rs 32 lakh on the pandal. It is a ten percent increase in expenditure this year. The pandal will be 36 feet tall and 120 feet wide. Besides replicas of famous installations goddess durga will be sculpted in her ten incarnation in the pandal,” he said.
Subhas Behera, movie art director of renown, has been supervising construction of the pandal over the past one-and-a-half months.
“All idol makers and craftsmen are from Cuttack. Most of them have been making idols for the past 25 years,” Deepak said.
The pandal is expected to be managed by 200 volunteers with support from police.
Another attraction at the pandal is silver filigree made from 207 kg of the metal and 750 grams of gold.
Last year, too, the pandal had used silver and gold jewellery to adorn
the goddess’ idols.
The other pandal in the city known for its unique and beautiful design is that of the Jharpada Durga Puja Samiti which started celebrating Durga puja in 2010.
Like last year this year they have chosen to theme the pandal on a palace. Fifty workers from Kolkata are working day and night to complete the 85-foot tall, 120-foot wide pandal work in time.
“This year we have chosen Cibeles palace of Madrid, Spain. Last year we had Grand Palace of Bangkok as the theme. This year’s budget celebration is 40 lakh” Sikhar Chandra Jena, president of the committee, told Orissa POST.
One other interesting feature at the Jharpada pandal is the special arrangement for differently-abled and
elderly people.
A park with running fountains has also been envisaged as part of the work. “There would be more than 500 shops in the mini bazaar and special light would be projected in the entrance gate of the pandal,” Jena said.
Coming to Raavan dahan, a highlight of the festivities, the pandal will boast a 40-foot effigy of the demon king to be erected on the playground of Jharpada High school.
“The effigy of the Raavan is being made by an sculptor from Jatni. A variety of crackers would be used to make it a gala event. Cultural troupe from places such as Chatrapur, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will perform on each from Sashti to Dusehra,” he added.
